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<point><b>Why is the command mentioned before the sin?</b> Despite the command being introduced only after the sin,<fn>As such, the proper place for the command would have been Shemot 34.</fn> it is placed here for thematic reasons, to complete the unit of the Mishkan and its vessels.  Nonetheless, it appears only after the unit's concluding verses to highlight hat it was not part of the original command.</point> | <point><b>Why is the command mentioned before the sin?</b> Despite the command being introduced only after the sin,<fn>As such, the proper place for the command would have been Shemot 34.</fn> it is placed here for thematic reasons, to complete the unit of the Mishkan and its vessels.  Nonetheless, it appears only after the unit's concluding verses to highlight hat it was not part of the original command.</point> | ||
<point><b>Context</b> – <p>R"M Speigelman suggests that the half shekel coins discussed right after the incense altar were similarly instituted only after the sin.<fn>He points out that in the beginning of Parashat Terumah, we read of the initial requests for donations to the Mishkan, where there is no mention of the obligation for every individual to give a half shekel coin. The omission is due to the fact that at that point it was not yet necessary.</fn> Since the nation had donated so eagerly to make the calf, Hashem mandates that they now donate to the Mishkan as atonement,<fn>In so doing, they announced their allegiance to Hashem and not the calf.</fn> as the verse itself says, "‎לְכַפֵּר עַל נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם".‎<fn>According to this reading, the four verses which speak of the half shekel donations (13-16) are a one time command, meant only for the generation of the Wilderness. See the Gr"A and Hoil Moshe in <a href="Half Shekels – For Census or Tabernacle" data-aht="page">Half Shekels – For Census or Tabernacle</a>.</fn></p></point> | <point><b>Context</b> – <p>R"M Speigelman suggests that the half shekel coins discussed right after the incense altar were similarly instituted only after the sin.<fn>He points out that in the beginning of Parashat Terumah, we read of the initial requests for donations to the Mishkan, where there is no mention of the obligation for every individual to give a half shekel coin. The omission is due to the fact that at that point it was not yet necessary.</fn> Since the nation had donated so eagerly to make the calf, Hashem mandates that they now donate to the Mishkan as atonement,<fn>In so doing, they announced their allegiance to Hashem and not the calf.</fn> as the verse itself says, "‎לְכַפֵּר עַל נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם".‎<fn>According to this reading, the four verses which speak of the half shekel donations (13-16) are a one time command, meant only for the generation of the Wilderness. See the Gr"A and Hoil Moshe in <a href="Half Shekels – For Census or Tabernacle" data-aht="page">Half Shekels – For Census or Tabernacle</a>.</fn></p></point> | ||
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Version as of 09:26, 14 February 2019
The Incense Altar – Placement and Purpose
Exegetical Approaches
Exalted Status
The Incense Altar is mentioned at the end of the discussion of the Mishkan and its vessels to highlight its exalted status, being second only to the Ark in importance.
Distinct Function
The Incense Altar is discussed separately from the other vessels because it played a significantly different role than them. This position divides in its evaluation of that role:
Technical Role
The Incense Altar played only a technical role in the Mishkan, and had a much lower status than the other vessels in the Sanctuary.
- Deodorizer – Rambam asserts that the Incense Altar functioned as a deodorizer for the Mishkan. The odors of the animal slaughter and blood would have been overwhelming if they were not countered by the fragrance of the incense.5 He adds that it was necessary to ensure that there was a pleasant fragrance for, otherwise, the people would not properly honor the Mikdash.
- Container and platform – The Meshekh Chokhmah points out that the incense is burned even without an altar,6 which teaches that the Golden Altar, as opposed to the other vessels, is not in itself significant. It is simply a convenient way to burn the incense.7
Complementary Role
The Incense Altar played an important role which was distinct from, but complemented the other service in the Mishkan.
- Honor - Seforno16 suggest that the incense is brought not to invite Hashem's glory, but rather to honor it once it has already arrived.17
- Atonement - Ramban and the Gr"A, instead, suggests that the Incense Altar plays an atoning role.18 This was not necessary to usher in the Divine Presence, but perhaps helped to ensure that it did not depart..
- Screen - R"M Leibtag, R"E Samet and R"Y Grossman all suggest that, in contrast to the other vessels which were meant to invite the Divine presence, the cloud of incense was meant to screen the revelation.19 The Mishkan created a paradox. Man, craving closeness, invites Hashem to dwell, but Hashem's Holy presence means that man must keep a distance. Thus, the cloud of incense served to create a barrier to protect the people and enable the encounter.20
Change in Plan
The unique placement of the command regarding the incense indicates that it was not part of the original plans for the Mishkan, but introduced only after the Sin of the Golden Calf.
- Need for increased barriers - M. Speigelman suggests that until the sin, an incense cloud was only necessary if one was to enter the Holy of Holies, where God's presence was predominantly found. For this, a censer would have sufficed. However, after the sin, Aharon proved himself unworthy of entering even the outer sanctuary without further barriers. As such a daily incense, replete with an altar, was introduced.
- Yom HaKippurim instituted – Alternatively, the altar was mandated only with the the institution of Yom HaKiippurim, itself an innovation introduced in the aftermath of the sin.25 The day was instituted both in commemoration of Moshe's gaining atonement for the people,26 and as an annual means of atoning for future sins. The dual screening and protective function of the incense played a central role in the service of the day, mandating the altar's construction. Afterwards, this became part of the Mishkan's daily service as well.
R"M Speigelman suggests that the half shekel coins discussed right after the incense altar were similarly instituted only after the sin.28 Since the nation had donated so eagerly to make the calf, Hashem mandates that they now donate to the Mishkan as atonement,29 as the verse itself says, "לְכַפֵּר עַל נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם".30